JAMB scores each of your four UTME subjects out of 100 and adds them up for a total out of 400. Use of English has 60 questions, so each is worth about 1.67 marks; your other three subjects have 40 questions each, so each is worth 2.5 marks. Wrong answers are not penalised, so never leave a question blank.
Knowing exactly how JAMB counts your marks changes how you prepare, and how you behave in the exam hall. Here's the full picture.
How many questions are in JAMB, and how long do you have?
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Each question is worth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Use of English | 60 | 100 | ≈ 1.67 |
| Subject 2 | 40 | 100 | 2.5 |
| Subject 3 | 40 | 100 | 2.5 |
| Subject 4 | 40 | 100 | 2.5 |
| Total | 180 | 400 |
All 180 questions must be answered in 2 hours. That's about 40 seconds per question on average.
Does JAMB deduct marks for wrong answers?
No. A wrong answer scores the same as a blank: zero. That means a blank answer is always a wasted chance. If you're running out of time, make your best guess on every remaining question before the clock ends.
Why does a science question count more than an English one?
Every subject is worth the same 100 marks, but English spreads them across 60 questions instead of 40. So each English question is worth a little less, and each question in your other subjects is worth a little more. In practice:
- Getting 4 more questions right in Physics adds 10 marks
- Getting 6 more questions right in English adds 10 marks
Don't neglect English, though. It's still a quarter of your total, and its vocabulary questions are some of the most learnable marks in the exam. See how to master synonyms and antonyms.
What score do I need?
The minimum score to be considered for admission is set by JAMB each year (for 2026 it was 150 for universities; see JAMB cut-off marks). But competitive courses at popular universities usually need much more. Your real target is your course and school's cut-off, plus a safety margin.
Turn the scoring into a plan
Work backwards from your target. For 300, you need about 135 correct answers out of 180, so you can miss around 45. For 250, about 112 correct, so you can miss around 68. That's freeing: you don't need perfection, just fewer avoidable mistakes. Our guide on how to score 300 shows exactly how to get there.
On 2Wise, every full mock is scored out of 400 the same way, subject by subject, so the number you see is directly comparable to what JAMB will show you.
Frequently asked questions
Is there negative marking in JAMB?
No. A wrong answer scores zero, the same as a blank one, so you should answer every question, even if you have to make your best guess.
How many questions are in JAMB?
180 questions in total: 60 in Use of English and 40 in each of your other three subjects, to be answered in 2 hours.
How many marks is each JAMB question worth?
About 1.67 marks in Use of English (100 marks over 60 questions) and 2.5 marks in each other subject (100 marks over 40 questions).
What is the highest score in JAMB?
The maximum possible score is 400: 100 in each of the four subjects.
Last checked 22 October 2026. JAMB changes dates and rules from year to year. Always confirm on jamb.gov.ng.